Many loved the prime downtown location, in walking distance to restaurants, shops, the harbour, and much of Vancouver's attractions

The staff's exceptional service was an important highlight of the hotel

Although dated, the rooms were typically clean and comfortable

Guests often enjoyed dining on site

Hotel was kid friendly and delivered cookies and milk to them in the evenings

The staff made guests with birthdays and anniversaries feel special

Cons

Wi-Fi is $13.95+ tax or $15.62 per 24 hours

Self or valet parking is $55 per night

Paid Wi-Fi was rated poorly in online surveys

Guests complained of extra charges and high room rates

Occasionally guests were disturbed by loud music and loud partiers in nearby rooms

Many complained of dated rooms, but the hotel is currently renovating rooms

Rooms

Adults

Kids

Kids' Ages

Editor's Review

Updated Jun 16, 2017

Overview

About the hotel: This historic hotel offers classic decor and first-class service in the heart of downtown Vancouver, surrounded by shops and restaurants, and in walking distance of the waterfront and popular downtown attractions.

The hotel has 557 smoke-free rooms and 16 floors with elevator access.

All rooms include Wi-Fi ($13.95 + tax or $23.50 + tax per 24 hours), a flat-screen TV with cable and pay-per-view movies, a coffeemaker, a mini-bar offering snacks for sale, a desk and chair, an iron and ironing board, bathrobes, a hair dryer and climate control.

Some rooms include a sofabed, 1 or 2 separate bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, a wet bar, an ornamental fireplace and city or courtyard views. Accessible rooms are available.

Rooms are furnished with 1 or 2 queen beds or 1 king bed.

Self-parking is available in an above-ground parkade next door for $55 (including tax) per night. Valet parking is also $55 (including tax) per night with in/out privileges.

Pets are welcome for $25 per pet, per night. Pets are offered welcome treats and a pet dish.

Restaurant on site: Notch8 Restaurant & Bar offers breakfast, lunch and dinner on site, as well as afternoon tea and bar beverage service. Happy Hour runs daily from 3 pm to 6 pm and room service is from 6:30 am to 11 pm daily.

The hotel had lots of perfect scores from reviewers who appreciated the service supplied by the staff, the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms and the prime downtown location.

Rooms were well appointed, spacious and comfortable. Some advised that rooms that faced the art gallery offered pleasant lawn and fountain views.

The location was second to none, perfectly located in the heart of downtown, close to multiple dining choices, and world-class shopping. The SkyTrain stop, a block away, provided easy access to the airport and other parts of the city. Recent reviewers said they walked to the harbour, to Gastown, Granville Island, and BC Place.

Staff were professional and attentive. Guests celebrating birthdays or anniversaries felt honoured by the hotel with the special attention they paid to the occasion.

Guests also enjoyed relaxing in the lounge in the evenings, cookies and milk delivered to their children in the evenings, a fun resident dog to love, great shopping in the hotel and great food on site.

Guests who criticized the hotel usually pointed to the same deficiencies: the dated rooms, the lackluster and expensive Internet and the high cost of a stay.

Although the hotel provides free Internet to those who join President's Club loyalty programme, guests who did not know, or opted out, complained about the extra fees for Wi-Fi.

Some were upset with the high room prices for such a dated room (although the hotel is currently renovating), the high cost for parking and the high cost of drinks in the lounge. Some complained of no free breakfast.

Rooms complaints were: terrible in-room coffee, no mini-fridge and no microwave, can't use mini-bar to chill your own drinks, rooms that face the street are noisy if not high up, rooms are on the small side, peeling wallpaper, chipped tiles, dingy floor, room not properly cleaned, loud neighbours allowed to continue their noise; room was dingy, dirty and smelled, paying full price for a room that had that window covered for renovations outside was ridiculous, and dusty window coverings.

Complaints about other areas of the hotel were: fitness room lacks leg-strengthening equipment, pool had rusted edges and was heavily stained with grime, pool and facilities closed without notice, not enough variety at breakfast, and housekeeping knocking on door at 9 am with 'do not disturb' sign on door.

Expedia.ca gave this hotel an average score of 4.2 out of 5, based upon 789 guests reviews.

TripAdvisor.ca ranked this hotel #33 out of 96 properties in Vancouver, from 2,198 reviews.

Hotels.com gave this property an average score of 4.3 out of 5.0, based on 73 guest reviews.

Guest Reviews

Rated by Guests

8.7 / out of 10

"Very Good"

Ranked by Guests

#

37 / out of 91

hotels in Vancouver

The average guest rating for Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is 8.7 out of 10 based on 5167 reviews from past guests. This average guest rating ranks Fairmont Hotel Vancouver at #37 out of 91 hotels in Vancouver.